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Mobile land-based thermonuclear missile complexes RS-24 Yars from the Teykovo missile complex in the Ivanovo region have shifted field positions during tactical drills, practicing measures to counter sabotage units, as reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Friday, July 12.
The ministry stated, “Our strategic rocket engineers have honed their skills in dismantling the Yars missile system launchers and vehicles for combat duty, maneuvering to alternate field positions, dispersing units, and organizing camouflage and combat guarding.”
According to the ministry, during the march, they focused on active countermeasures against potential sabotage formations through various introductory exercises aimed at timely detection, blocking, and elimination. “Overall, the units of the Teykovo formation completed several dozen introductory exercises,” added the military department.
On July 5, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced a series of exercises involving Yars mobile nuclear launchers. This comes on the heels of tactical nuclear weapons deployment drills conducted with ally Belarus just a month earlier.
The ministry detailed that Yars missile launcher crews operated in at least two different regions, covering over 100 kilometers [62 miles] while practicing camouflage and strategic positioning. They also shared video footage of a mobile missile navigating forest roads and being concealed with camouflage nets by the troops.
The Defense Ministry stated, “Similar exercises will be conducted in the near future by other missile units.” Back in June, Russia partnered with Belarus for tactical nuclear exercises in response to what Moscow described as threats from Western powers. At that time, Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked that nuclear weapons were unnecessary for victory in Ukraine, but he did not rule out potential revisions to Russia’s nuclear doctrine.
The Russian Strategic Missile Forces [RSMF] play a vital role within the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, serving as a key element of its strategic nuclear capabilities. These forces are tasked with maintaining a nuclear deterrent to thwart potential threats.
The RS-24 Yars is a Russian thermonuclear ballistic missile complex designed to enhance the strategic missile capabilities of the Russian Federation. It is an intercontinental ballistic missile [ICBM] that serves as a key component of Russia’s nuclear triad, providing a credible deterrent against potential adversaries.
In terms of dimensions, the RS-24 Yars missile is approximately 23 meters [75 feet] in length and has a diameter of about 2 meters [6.6 feet]. These dimensions make it a formidable weapon, capable of carrying multiple warheads over vast distances.
The propulsion of the RS-24 Yars missile is achieved through a multi-stage solid-fuel rocket engine. This multi-stage propulsion system allows the missile to achieve the necessary velocity and altitude to reach its target, ensuring that it can effectively penetrate enemy defenses.
The RS-24 Yars is equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles [MIRVs]. These warheads can be thermonuclear in nature, providing a high yield and significant destructive capability. The use of MIRVs allows a single missile to strike multiple targets simultaneously, increasing its effectiveness.
The operational range of the RS-24 Yars missile is estimated to be around 11,000 to 12,000 kilometers [approximately 6,835 to 7,456 miles]. This extensive range enables it to reach targets across continents, making it a strategic asset for long-range deterrence.
The method of flight for the RS-24 Yars involves a ballistic trajectory. After launch, the missile follows a high-arching path through the atmosphere and into space. Upon reaching the apex of its flight, the missile’s warheads re-enter the atmosphere and proceed towards their designated targets. The use of MIRVs allows for multiple warheads to be deployed along different trajectories, complicating interception efforts by missile defense systems.